Whats the difference between the 30GB build and the 60/80GB build?

[Shaocaholica]

Whats the difference between the 30GB build and the 60/80GB build for ipod video?

[Febs]

The 30 GB iPod Video has 32 MB of memory, while the 60 and 80 GB iPod Videos have 64 MB.  You should pick the build that corresponds to your player.  If you use the 30 GB build on a 60/80 GB iPod, it will work, but if you use a 60/80 GB build on a 30 GB iPod, it will crash.

[zajacattack]

Also, I believe that the code for the hard drives in them is different. See http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/IpodPort

[Shaocaholica]

So does Rockbox have any extra functionality on the 64mb hardware?  What about the ipod firmware?  Any reason why Apple put the extra memory in there?

[Llorean]

No, the code for the disks is not exclusive to either version. While the hard drives are different, the code to handle both types should exist in both versions. Otherwise the single bootloader that works for both wouldn't work.

Rockbox uses the extra memory to buffer more audio. That's really the only reasonable thing to do with it, from our perspective. We have no way of knowing how Apple uses it, and it's not really relevant here.

As well, this question is no longer in any way installation related.

[Shaocaholica]

As well, this question is no longer in any way installation related.

Sorry if its in the wrong forum.  Where should it go?

[Shaocaholica]

No, the code for the disks is not exclusive to either version. While the hard drives are different, the code to handle both types should exist in both versions. Otherwise the single bootloader that works for both wouldn't work.

Will the Rockbox bootloader still work with an aftermarket HD.  Like the 40GB and 60GB Toshibas?

[Llorean]

The actual physical differences are a hardware topic.

It should work with any physically compatible HD, if it doesn't there's a bug or something needs to be fixed. But be aware, you pick your build based on what your iPod was originally. If you start with a 30 and put in a 60 disk, you still use the 30 build, as a larger disk doesn't add any RAM.

[Febs]

The original iPod hard drives are actually Toshiba drives:  http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/IpodPort?topic=HardDriveReplacement

So, the answer is a qualified yes.  The qualification being that you need to make sure that you get the right kind of drive.  The iPod Video uses a ZIF connector, not the 50 pin connector found on some drives.  The wiki page I linked to above gives more info.  Regardless of the size of the replacement drive you use, you should choose the build that corresponds to the size of the drive that originally came with the player.